by Allan Kisia
Monday October 12, 2026
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale give his remarks during a resource mobilisation drive in support of Nanighi Mosque, Tahfidh Quran and Madrassa in Garissa County/HANDOUT
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has cautioned Kenyans against spreading alarm over the country's confirmed imported Ebola case.
He warned that misinformation and exaggerated fears could undermine public confidence and hurt tourism, investment and international engagement.
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Duale said Kenya was not experiencing an Ebola outbreak, maintaining that the confirmed infection was imported.
The CS spoke while attending a resource mobilisation drive in support of Nanighi Mosque, Tahfidh Quran and Madrassa in Garissa County, where he joined residents and religious leaders in raising funds for the religious institutions.
“On Ebola, I reassured the public that Kenya was not experiencing an outbreak and clarified that the confirmed case was imported,” Duale said in a statement posted on X.
“I cautioned against spreading alarm, which could undermine public confidence and discourage tourism, investment and international engagement.”
The event was attended by Garissa Town MP Major (Rtd) Dekow Barrow, Ijara MP Abdi Ali, Lafey MP Abdikheir Mohammed, Garissa gubernatorial hopefuls Ali Korane and Abdi Dubat, Members of County Assembly and religious leaders.
Duale's remarks come amid growing international attention following confirmation of Kenya's first imported Ebola case, with several foreign governments updating their travel advisories.
On Thursday, the Health CS appealed to foreign governments against imposing travel restrictions on Kenya, insisting that the single confirmed infection did not amount to an outbreak in the country.
He made the appeal during a high-level meeting with diplomats, heads of international organisations and development partners, where he outlined measures taken by the government to contain the disease.
Duale maintained that Kenya remained open for travel, tourism, trade and investment, urging international partners to base their decisions on scientific evidence rather than fear.
“I urge the international community to base its decisions on verified epidemiological information, science and established international public health principles,” he said.
The CS warned that disproportionate restrictions on travel and trade could have far-reaching economic consequences without necessarily providing additional public health protection.
He called on airlines to maintain their operations, tourists to continue visiting the country and businesses to sustain their activities as health authorities manage the imported case.
“I encourage airlines to continue operating, tourists to continue visiting Kenya, businesses to maintain their operations and our regional and international partners to sustain normal trade and investment,” Duale said.
He further assured international partners that the government would continue sharing verified information as the situation evolved.
“We will remain transparent and continue sharing verified information with the public, neighbouring countries and international partners as the situation evolves,” he said.
Kenya's response to the case has included engagement with diplomatic missions and international partners as the government seeks to reassure the public while containing potential health risks.